British Columbia

Brief Overview

Health Canada classifies nicotine-containing e-cigarettes as new drugs under the Food and Drug Regulations. As such, there are restrictions on their sale, advertisement, promotion, sponsorship, importation and manufacturing. Products without nicotine are not regulated.

British Columbia implemented the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act in 2016. Under this law, the following are banned:

Sale and supply to minors (under 19);

Sales wherever tobacco sales are banned;

Vaping anywhere smoking is banned with the exception of vape shops where minors are not allowed to enter; with a maximum of two people sampling a product at the same time;

Vaping in cars with children under 16;

Vaping within six metres of doors, air intakes and open windows;

Any kind of promotion in stores except point of sale showing availability and price, including duty free shops;

All point of sale display except where minors are prohibited, permits vending machines in adult only venues, including duty free shops;

Kindergarten to Grade 12 school sites at all times;

Ban on health authority property unless in designated areas.

British Columbia has a thriving vaping scene and an abundance of retail stores can be found mainly in Vancouver, with a smaller number of shops available throughout other parts of the state.

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All Laws & Regulations

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Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our staff. No in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts reviewed our analysis.

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